3 feared dead in Kwara as OPC factions clash

Mo fewer than three members of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, were feared dead at the weekend at Agbamu in Irepodun local government area of Kwara State in a clash among some factional members of the group.
Nigerian Pilot reports that besides the slain members, more than five others of the group who reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries in the fracas were receiving medical treatment in private hospitals in an undisclosed towns within the‎ council area.
Sources said trouble started when some members of the OPC who were recently expelled from the group stormed St. Paul Anglican Primary School, Agbamu, venue of the 10th anniversary of the coronation of Arigbamu of Agbamu, Oba Samuel Olusola Dare, to protest their expulsion before the national coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams.
This development, the source said, “infuriated the State chapter of the group which eventually led to violent clash among the members, leading to the exchange of gun shots among them.
“The security men at the venue of the occasion, especially policemen had hectic time in putting the situation under control as OPC members turned out in large numbers for the programme.”
A policeman at Agbamu police post, who did not want his name in print, confirmed to our correspondent that three members of the group lost their lives in the melee, while several others were seriously injured.
According to him, “We never envisaged this kind of security breach; hence we would have called for reinforcement from other neighboring police stations. Because of their large number, they held everybody to ransom. I can confirm to you that three members of the group were shot dead, while several others were seriously injured. The injured ones have been taken to nearby private hospitals.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PRO, Kwara State command, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi, said he was yet to be briefed of any fracas or death arising from the weekend incident at Agbamu.